Chops Lunch On Embarkation Day.......

[Dayman9966]

I know when you book Chops Lunch, it doesn't give you the day 1 option, but can that be changed once on board?  Thanks!

[BecciBoo]

I would suggest getting The Key instead which would not only include the Chops lunch day one, but also 1 device on Voom and priority boarding and luggage service.  Black Fridy price is $26.99 pp....IF you can get the planner to work properly!

[renza]

54 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

I would suggest getting The Key instead which would not only include the Chops lunch day one, but also 1 device on Voom and priority boarding and luggage service.  Black Fridy price is $26.99 pp....IF you can get the planner to work properly!

That is the biggest joke ever. Crazy for everyone to have to spend $27 a day. You can buy one internet and share. Chops for first day is in dining room. Big deal they put your bag in room. U r eating anyways and rooms open up at 1. It is a great way for Royal to make money. Crazy 2 people in a cabin would spend $378 for a week on crap. Buy the UDP would be a lot better

[BecciBoo]

Well I don't know where I've been but it was definitely not on the planner page....I had no idea it was per day!  Wow I guess the $323 WAS correct I assumed the glitch was responsible.  I thought $26.99  was a one time fee...DUH  Nope, would definitely NOT purchase it now.  Thanks.  I feel stupid🤪

Edited November 19, 2022 by BecciBoo

[renza]

18 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

Well I don't know where I've been but it was definitely not on the planner page....I had no idea it was per day!  Wow I guess the $323 WAS correct I assumed the glitch was responsible.  I thought $26.99  was a one time fee...DUH  Nope, would definitely NOT purchase it now.  Thanks.  I feel stupid🤪

Yes it’s crazy. If u are traveling solo then it might be ok if you got it at $20 a day

[Tree_skier]

4 hours ago, Dayman9966 said:

I know when you book Chops Lunch, it doesn't give you the day 1 option, but can that be changed once on board?  Thanks!

No,  Chops isn't usually open on embarkation day.  My last couple of cruises only Giovanni's or Jamies was open for embarkation lunch.

 

 

[Ourusualbeach]

17 minutes ago, renza said:

Yes it’s crazy. If u are traveling solo then it might be ok if you got it at $20 a day

Great deal  for solos, not do much for couples and definitely not for families. 

Edited November 19, 2022 by Ourusualbeach

[tinkr2]

If you are a person who gets zoom, its not bad. For another few dollars a day you get the chops lunch and the good breakfast plus reserved seating at shows. And you skip the line on disembarkation, it was great. This has had great value to us on Oasis class ships.

[renza]

13 minutes ago, tinkr2 said:

If you are a person who gets zoom, its not bad. For another few dollars a day you get the chops lunch and the good breakfast plus reserved seating at shows. And you skip the line on disembarkation, it was great. This has had great value to us on Oasis class ships.

We get zoom and pay between $15-18. We only need 1 package. The reserved seats are right next to my free seats. I sleep in on last day and go to park cafe for breakfast and walk off whenever I want. We live in south Florida. Only take oasis class ships. I spend my money on UDP. 2 people cost over $350 on key when you can spend $150 more and get all your dining. Zoom is not even close to worth it. It’s not just a few dollars more than internet package. They charge everyone in cabin the high rate. The more packages you buy the cheaper it is under one person. 

[tinkr2]

9 minutes ago, renza said:

We get zoom and pay between $15-18. We only need 1 package. The reserved seats are right next to my free seats. I sleep in on last day and go to park cafe for breakfast and walk off whenever I want. We live in south Florida. Only take oasis class ships. I spend my money on UDP. 2 people cost over $350 on key when you can spend $150 more and get all your dining. Zoom is not even close to worth it. It’s not just a few dollars more than internet package. They charge everyone in cabin the high rate. The more packages you buy the cheaper it is under one person. 

Ive gotten it many times at 21.99 and 19.99.We always get 2 internet and sometimes 3 for the 2 of us. I like to walk in at last minute to great seats. I like the hours of less crowded flow rider. I also live near to port.  My husband likes to cut line and set off to head to meetings. As I said, WE don't find it to be bad when on sale.

[renza]

1 minute ago, tinkr2 said:

Ive gotten it many times at 21.99 and 19.99.We always get 2 internet and sometimes 3 for the 2 of us. I like to walk in at last minute to great seats. I like the hours of less crowded flow rider. I also live near to port.  My husband likes to cut line and set off to head to meetings. As I said, WE don't find it to be bad when on sale.

Why would u get 3 internet for 2 people. U can use on multiple devices. U can’t walk in last min to a show even with key. The flowrider time is a joke. It’s 1 or 2 times during the week in a time nobody likes. I bought 4 internet packages in Aug on my Harmony cruise and sold 3 to other people on our roll call. By me buying multiple devises under only me it cost $80 each is all for the week. Even at $20 u r paying at least $40 a day. $280 for the week. 

[tinkr2]

Because my husband works and uses his phone and computer at same . You a big flow rider user? I suspect not? We are and husband is up that early anyway. As I said, we have found value in it and enjoyed the reserved seating and other perks. 

[renza]

10 minutes ago, tinkr2 said:

Because my husband works and uses his phone and computer at same . You a big flow rider user? I suspect not? We are and husband is up that early anyway. As I said, we have found value in it and enjoyed the reserved seating and other perks. 

My son is a huge user of flow rider. Usually it’s one a time buy for new cruisers and realize they got screwed. If you are into spending hundreds extra On 1 lunch and 1 breakfast and seats you are at still 30 min before so be it. 

[tinkr2]

41 minutes ago, renza said:

My son is a huge user of flow rider. Usually it’s one a time buy for new cruisers and realize they got screwed. If you are into spending hundreds extra On 1 lunch and 1 breakfast and seats you are at still 30 min before so be it. 

Nope I come the second before they release the seats. I do not understand why you're so resistant to the the idea that people enjoy it. They put nice  treats in your room ,give you a nicer welcome and a few special meals. All for a few dollars more.I'Im not sharing my internet or selling it to friends on my roll call. Obviously I am not a new cruiser. I bought the Beach Club at CoCo Cay today also EVEN THOUGH I could go for FREE to the island .Different things are for different people.

[rockon391]

7 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

I would suggest getting The Key instead which would not only include the Chops lunch day one, but also 1 device on Voom and priority boarding and luggage service.  Black Fridy price is $26.99 pp....IF you can get the planner to work properly!

Lol. I was gonna get the key for our family of four until I realized it was that price per person per day. At that rate it seem like a total rip off!

[shellunderwater]

1 hour ago, renza said:

My son is a huge user of flow rider. Usually it’s one a time buy for new cruisers and realize they got screwed. If you are into spending hundreds extra On 1 lunch and 1 breakfast and seats you are at still 30 min before so be it. 

So, tell me, how do you REALLY feel about The Key.

 

Please don't hold back, tell us.....

 

😈

[JeffT237]

17 minutes ago, shellunderwater said:

So, tell me, how do you REALLY feel about The Key.

 

Please don't hold back, tell us.....

Or better yet tell the rest of us what we can and can’t buy for our own cruises

[renza]

2 minutes ago, JeffT237 said:

Or better yet tell the rest of us what we can and can’t buy for our own cruises

Try to help people save money. Especially new cruisers who spend all this money they don’t need. The key will never be something I would tell people to spend their money on. 

[PWP-001]

34 minutes ago, renza said:

Try to help people save money. Especially new cruisers who spend all this money they don’t need. The key will never be something I would tell people to spend their money on. 

 

 

There's a difference between "need" and "want"  I think new cruisers read the boards to find comments from other cruisers who are sharing their first hand experiences of The Key or say... Coco Cay Beach Club.  They're looking for the good and the bad, tips and tricks, so they can evaluate and make a decision for themselves as to how they spend their money.  I know that's why I read the boards.  But I can also tell you that I DO NOT read the boards looking for morality lessons or someone imposing their values and budget upon my spending habits.

 

Some of us purchase The Key regularly for RCI cruises because we find value in the perks offered by The Key.  Embarkation Lunch is a relaxing experience far from the hectic food trough.  And the same applies to breakfast the last morning:  a relaxing experience before being escorted the the front of the disembarkation line.

 

It's actually good to read that some find no value in The Key because if everyone wanted it and they sold out regularly, I'd end up paying more when they bumped up the price.

[tinkr2]

15 minutes ago, PWP-001 said:

It's actually good to read that some find no value in The Key because if everyone wanted it and they sold out regularly, I'd end up paying more when they bumped up the price.

I wish, Its always sold out when I look. 

I find it amusing that she is intent on telling me its worthless. She has clearly never had it and I am definitely not a new cruiser that has been flamboozled by Royal.🙃

Ill hog my internet all to myself while drinking mimosas and eating filets and lobsters. 

And she can cruise the way she likes also.

[blueslily]

8 hours ago, tinkr2 said:

Nope I come the second before they release the seats. I do not understand why you're so resistant to the the idea that people enjoy it. They put nice  treats in your room ,give you a nicer welcome and a few special meals. All for a few dollars more.I'Im not sharing my internet or selling it to friends on my roll call. Obviously I am not a new cruiser. I bought the Beach Club at CoCo Cay today also EVEN THOUGH I could go for FREE to the island .Different things are for different people.

 

Hi there, what are the nice treats that they put in your room with The Key? And, what is the nicer welcome and special meals? I've had The Key before so I'm wondering what I missed. I know about the abbreviated Chops lunch served in the MDR on embarkation day. I dont use or want the disembarkion day breakfast so we skip that. But, based on your post, it sounds like there must be a bit more included related to meals. Wondering what I missed. Thanks!

Edited November 20, 2022 by blueslily

[PWP-001]

31 minutes ago, blueslily said:

 

Hi there, what are the nice treats that they put in your room with The Key? And, what is the nicer welcome and special meals? I've had The Key before so I'm wondering what I missed. I know about the abbreviated Chops lunch served in the MDR on embarkation day. I dont use or want the disembarkion day breakfast so we skip that. But, based on your post, it sounds like there must be a bit more included related to meals. Wondering what I missed. Thanks!

 

Don't expect a chocolate fountain or ice carving with a seafood display in your room.  (Though maybe if there were, there wouldn't be the negative comments.  No...  wait... I can already hear the reply:  "A box of Mrs. Paul's Fish Stix and a Hershey's Chocolate bar in my carry-on is just as good!")

 

Each cruise there's been a small fruit plate.... or basket on a plate, given it's not peeled or sliced and can be consumed over several days.    (The nay-sayers will belch about going to the food trough to get the same fruit for free, I'm sure.)

 

No, I do not place "great value" weight on having fresh fruit in my room when it comes to my The Key purchase decision, but you asked about treats associated.  However, I do like that it's there.  I'm used to a request card on another line in my room for longer cruises, where I can select which fruits I would like supplied in my room.  

Edited November 20, 2022 by PWP-001

[renza]

7 hours ago, tinkr2 said:

I wish, Its always sold out when I look. 

I find it amusing that she is intent on telling me its worthless. She has clearly never had it and I am definitely not a new cruiser that has been flamboozled by Royal.🙃

Ill hog my internet all to myself while drinking mimosas and eating filets and lobsters. 

And she can cruise the way she likes also.

Yes I have gotten the key and realized what a waste it was. I realized you can get internet cheaper by purchasing more under the same name. So I frequently buy 4 packages and sell. So it is a win win for everyone. I did it on 3 cruises this year. I will not go to windjammer at anytime and love the specialty dining. Is the food great, No but the relaxed atmosphere all week we love. The key gave me fruit in my room. Wow. They take my carryon to my room, who cares I was eating and rooms were open right after. Times for any of the activities was a joke, and sitting in the same seats that are for free was zero help. We still showed up early for seats together. Getting on early makes know difference either because we are diamond now. If I am with my son I do not need to purchase interest or dining we get it free now that he is an employee. 

[blueslily]

28 minutes ago, renza said:

Yes I have gotten the key and realized what a waste it was. I realized you can get internet cheaper by purchasing more under the same name. So I frequently buy 4 packages and sell. So it is a win win for everyone. I did it on 3 cruises this year. I will not go to windjammer at anytime and love the specialty dining. Is the food great, No but the relaxed atmosphere all week we love. The key gave me fruit in my room. Wow. They take my carryon to my room, who cares I was eating and rooms were open right after. Times for any of the activities was a joke, and sitting in the same seats that are for free was zero help. We still showed up early for seats together. Getting on early makes know difference either because we are diamond now. If I am with my son I do not need to purchase interest or dining we get it free now that he is an employee. 

Wow, it does sound like The Key is really not that much of a value for you, depending on the cost. Totally understand. Thanks for this post. It helps put your review of The Key in better context. 

[BecciBoo]

12 hours ago, JeffT237 said:

Or better yet tell the rest of us what we can and can’t buy for our own cruises

It's all relative.  I paid the $58.99 pp one time fee for the CBC and I felt it was a deal, but wouldn't pay $98 for it yesterday, we'll enjoy the free pool at the lagoon.  But if it went that cheap again, I would.  One day we might be in the chips, the next not so much.  So glad its a free country.